Posts
Study: Sandy dumped 11 billion gallons of sewage into surrounding waters, mostly in NYC and NJ | Fox News: "Superstorm Sandy released 11 billion gallons of sewage from East Coast treatment plants into bodies of water from Washington, D.C., to Connecticut."
"The study found one-third of the spilled sewage was untreated. Ninety-four percent was due to coastal flooding damage."
How does that compare to the gulf oil spill? Will any investigation of fixes be done?
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
The DJIA Fallacy - Absolute Rights
The DJIA Fallacy - Absolute Rights: "The highest closing price ever for the Dow was achieved on April 10, 2013 reaching $14,802. Compare that to the point reached at the bottom of the great recession of $6,547."
Monday, April 29, 2013
A different road out of poverty: saving instead of borrowing
A different road out of poverty: saving instead of borrowing: "A family chooses how much they want to save each week for a 10-week-long period. After they complete the 10-week phase, GOA rewards the successful savers with 10 percent interest."
That is an APR of 64%! No wonder people like the program -- I'll take that deal any day!
"not all organizations with microsavings programs can provide the 10 percent interest that GOA achieves, which relies heavily on donations."
That is an APR of 64%! No wonder people like the program -- I'll take that deal any day!
"not all organizations with microsavings programs can provide the 10 percent interest that GOA achieves, which relies heavily on donations."
Further Thoughts on Sensible Gun Legislation | Cato @ Liberty
Further Thoughts on Sensible Gun Legislation | Cato @ Liberty: "Manchin-Toomey is complex and controversial. Committee hearings are necessary and the public must have ample time to review the legislation. Still, considered as a package, a reworked Manchin-Toomey would offer substantial benefits to gun owners while imposing tolerable restrictions—none of which intrudes on core Second Amendment liberties."
But how much would those "tolerable restrictions" actually help?
But how much would those "tolerable restrictions" actually help?
Would a do-it-yourself gun background check work?
Would a do-it-yourself gun background check work?: "A gun buyer would log in to a free federal web portal and enter some personal information. If the buyer passes the background check, he or she would get a multi-digit key code, good for 30 days, to print out and take to a seller. That seller would use the same portal to confirm the authenticity of the background check."
"That dealer might not be convenient, and may charge a fee for the transfer service, Coburn said. And forcing everyone to go through a licensed dealer would simply push gun sales into the shadows. "If you make it easy for people to comply with the law, they'll do it," he said. "If I'm a gun owner, I want to know I'm not selling to someone who's on the list." "
"That dealer might not be convenient, and may charge a fee for the transfer service, Coburn said. And forcing everyone to go through a licensed dealer would simply push gun sales into the shadows. "If you make it easy for people to comply with the law, they'll do it," he said. "If I'm a gun owner, I want to know I'm not selling to someone who's on the list." "
Friday, April 26, 2013
Meet the current frontrunner for $580K coffee with Tim Cook | Apple - CNET News
Meet the current frontrunner for $580K coffee with Tim Cook | Apple - CNET News: "We are limited with a shoestring budget."
$580,000 can come out of a shoestring budget?
$580,000 can come out of a shoestring budget?
Supreme Court Saves Our Privacy? Media Sleeps | Cato Institute
Supreme Court Saves Our Privacy? Media Sleeps | Cato Institute: "“An invasion of bodily integrity (that) implicates an individual’s most personal and deep-rooted expectations of privacy.”
Crucial to the outcome of this case, as Whitehead emphasizes, is “at no point did the officer attempt to obtain a warrant authorizing the extraction.”"
Crucial to the outcome of this case, as Whitehead emphasizes, is “at no point did the officer attempt to obtain a warrant authorizing the extraction.”"
Thursday, April 25, 2013
When Is Too Much Security Too Much? | Cato Institute
When Is Too Much Security Too Much? | Cato Institute: "A society would make better public-policy decisions as to how much to spend on protection i.e., policing, firefighting, first-response medical systems, and the military if we viewed these expenditures as we do other forms of insurance. A rational person does not spend far more for homeowners and business insurance than the home or business is worth. Most people do not have $100 million in life insurance, because they cannot afford it and because they also implicitly realize that their lives are probably not worth that much."
"we greatly overspend on airline security (because the rare crash is big news) relative to driving, bicycling and walking. According to an analysis published in the American Scientist, “to make flying as dangerous as using a car, a four-plane disaster on the scale of 9/11 would have to occur every month.” The hassles and time loss of going through airline screening causes some people to drive more and fly less (estimates are in the 5 percent range), so the folks at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are inadvertently causing more lives to be lost than necessary. "
"we greatly overspend on airline security (because the rare crash is big news) relative to driving, bicycling and walking. According to an analysis published in the American Scientist, “to make flying as dangerous as using a car, a four-plane disaster on the scale of 9/11 would have to occur every month.” The hassles and time loss of going through airline screening causes some people to drive more and fly less (estimates are in the 5 percent range), so the folks at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are inadvertently causing more lives to be lost than necessary. "
Property Rights and Lake Cd'A | Cato Institute
Property Rights and Lake Cd'A | Cato Institute: "In 1976, the Court ruled that cities did not even need the excuse of a possible nuisance to regulate land. Instead, cities could take away most uses — and most of the value — of someone’s property for any reason at all, so long as they allowed some use, even if that use did not have much value."
GE Capital cuts off lending to gun shops | Fox News
GE Capital cuts off lending to gun shops | Fox News: "General Electric is quietly cutting off lending to gun shops, as the company rethinks its relationship to firearms amid the fallout from the school shooting in Newtown, Conn."
"GE is based in Fairfield, Conn., and many of the GE's employees live around Newtown, and several have children in the Sandy Hook elementary school, where the shootings took place. Peter Lanza, the father of Sandy Hook gunman Adam Lanza, is an executive at GE Capital."
"GE is based in Fairfield, Conn., and many of the GE's employees live around Newtown, and several have children in the Sandy Hook elementary school, where the shootings took place. Peter Lanza, the father of Sandy Hook gunman Adam Lanza, is an executive at GE Capital."
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Exploit Beijing's Nuclear Nightmare | Cato Institute
Exploit Beijing's Nuclear Nightmare | Cato Institute: "The most effective way to do that is to invoke the specter that South Korea and Japan might decide to build their own nuclear arsenals if North Korea continues its menacing ways, especially its quest for nuclear weapons. Chinese officials would not be happy about a South Korean nuclear arsenal, and the last thing in the world they want to see is a nuclear-armed Japan."
Monday, April 22, 2013
West Virginia teen arrested over NRA shirt returns to class | Fox News
West Virginia teen arrested over NRA shirt returns to class | Fox News: "Logan police arrested Marcum, 14, after he was sent to the school office and again refused to remove the shirt. Marcum has said that he was arrested on charges of disrupting an educational process and obstructing an officer"
Even refusing to remove an offensive shirt doesn't seem like grounds to arrest someone.
Even refusing to remove an offensive shirt doesn't seem like grounds to arrest someone.
BBC News - Nurses 'drowning in sea of paperwork'
BBC News - Nurses 'drowning in sea of paperwork': "The Royal College of Nursing poll of 6,000 nurses found 17.3% of their hours were spent on tasks such as filing, photocopying and ordering supplies.
Most reported the amount of paperwork was getting worse and was now stopping them providing direct patient care."
Most reported the amount of paperwork was getting worse and was now stopping them providing direct patient care."
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The Real Liberal Heritage - Anthony Gregory - Mises Daily
The Real Liberal Heritage - Anthony Gregory - Mises Daily: "Liberalism is, in other words, the political creed of those who favored liberty above the state, believed peace was preferable to war, and saw free trade and free association as the very foundations of a just and equitable society; who saw the moral status of wealth accumulation as being determined not by how much was accumulated, but rather by how it was accumulated—whether by the peaceful and productive means of voluntary free exchange or the political means of plunder and government privilege."
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The Myth of Safety | Shepherd Press
The Myth of Safety | Shepherd Press: "It is the lie of the Enemy that laws, regulations, police protection, armies, and air bags will keep us safe. All of these things have a place. But they cannot overcome the evil within the human heart."
"You cannot promise your children they will be safe from this ugly war. What you can promise is that God is faithful and will one day bring an end to every tear."
"You cannot promise your children they will be safe from this ugly war. What you can promise is that God is faithful and will one day bring an end to every tear."
In radical move, Hollande puts a bit more sunshine into French government - CSMonitor.com
In radical move, Hollande puts a bit more sunshine into French government - CSMonitor.com: "Now, for the first time, Mr. Hollande demanded that all 38 ministers of his cabinet officially declare their wealth, in an attempt to temper public anger after his former budget minister confessed earlier this month to holding a bank account abroad illegally and evading taxes."
Florida veteran battles city for right to fly flags honoring service members | Fox News
Florida veteran battles city for right to fly flags honoring service members | Fox News: "The law requires businesses to apply for a permit to display temporary signs or banners on their property, excluding the American flag, state flags or POW flags. He has flags for the Navy, Air Force and Marines."
Monday, April 15, 2013
Murders by type of weapon
From http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/table-20
Knives are used 5 times as much as rifles and body parts are used twice as much as rifles.
Rifles are 2.81% so why does the gun control debate focus on them?
Michigan judge holds self in contempt, pays $25 fine after his smartphone disrupts hearing | Fox News
Michigan judge holds self in contempt, pays $25 fine after his smartphone disrupts hearing | Fox News: "He says if he can't live by the rules he enforces he has no business enforcing the rules."
Friday, April 12, 2013
New York school district apologizes for 'Jews are evil' assignment | Fox News
New York school district apologizes for 'Jews are evil' assignment | Fox News: "The Albany school district is apologizing for a high school writing assignment that asked students to make a persuasive argument blaming Jews for the problems of Nazi Germany.
Superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard says she doesn't believe the teacher who handed out the assignment had malicious intent."
Did the teacher have common sense?
"A third of the students refused."
Good for them!
Superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard says she doesn't believe the teacher who handed out the assignment had malicious intent."
Did the teacher have common sense?
"A third of the students refused."
Good for them!
Guantanamo legal files mysteriously disappear from PCs | Security & Privacy - CNET News
Guantanamo legal files mysteriously disappear from PCs | Security & Privacy - CNET News: "Not only have many legal files suddenly disappeared from the defense team's computers, but also hundreds of thousands their documents have landed on the prosecution's computers"
Thursday, April 11, 2013
DA won't file criminal charges in Vegas police shooting of unarmed Gulf War veteran in 2011 | Fox News
DA won't file criminal charges in Vegas police shooting of unarmed Gulf War veteran in 2011 | Fox News: "Officer Jesus Arevalo thought he was shooting in self-defense when he opened fire with an assault-style rifle, killing Stanley LaVon Gibson.
In fact, what Arevalo heard was another officer firing a beanbag shotgun to break a side window of Gibson's vehicle."
In fact, what Arevalo heard was another officer firing a beanbag shotgun to break a side window of Gibson's vehicle."
Does Dry Desert Land Fall under the Clean Water Act? - Victims of Government - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin
Does Dry Desert Land Fall under the Clean Water Act? - Victims of Government - Ron Johnson, United States Senator for Wisconsin: "And we still can’t believe that the federal government can control what we do in our own backyard under the Clean Water Act when there is no water on our property! The real problem for us now is that we’re afraid to continue our cleanup and maintenance efforts "
Two Letters Re: Keeping Cash and Tangibles at Home - SurvivalBlog.com
Two Letters Re: Keeping Cash and Tangibles at Home - SurvivalBlog.com: "In 2008 I withdrew $7,500 and closed an account at a failing bank. This money sat "under the mattress" so to speak, until just a few months ago when I decided to purchase a small second home, using this cash as part of the down payment. I had about $5,000 left of the cash and put it in my current bank account so the mortgage company could "see" the money to be used for the down payment. (The teller indicated that $10,000 was the reportable level.)
However, since my cash deposit was within three months of its planned use for the down payment, the mortgage company would not let me use it! All funds must be completely trackable, not cash, due to the Patriot Act. Even though I had banking records documenting my old bank closure and withdrawal, they would not accept this money in down payment. I was forced to obtain a money gift (completely documented as to the bank it came from,etc.) from a relative to get approved for my mortgage."
However, since my cash deposit was within three months of its planned use for the down payment, the mortgage company would not let me use it! All funds must be completely trackable, not cash, due to the Patriot Act. Even though I had banking records documenting my old bank closure and withdrawal, they would not accept this money in down payment. I was forced to obtain a money gift (completely documented as to the bank it came from,etc.) from a relative to get approved for my mortgage."
Cops allegedly get violent at sight of Samsung Galaxy | Technically Incorrect - CNET News
Cops allegedly get violent at sight of Samsung Galaxy | Technically Incorrect - CNET News: "His filming seems to show the officer becoming irate at being the focus of attention. He asks Pringle to put the phone away.
He then utters a line which has a certain immortality about it: "Phones can be converted into weapons." This is followed by an exhortation to "look it up online.""
He then utters a line which has a certain immortality about it: "Phones can be converted into weapons." This is followed by an exhortation to "look it up online.""
Hot idea to keep African farmers planting harvests 100,000th participant - CSMonitor.com
Hot idea to keep African farmers planting harvests 100,000th participant - CSMonitor.com: "An innovative insurance policy that helps protect East African farmers against failed rains or pest-swarms that would eat their crops now has its 100,0"
On North Korea, Keep Calm and Carry On | Cato Institute
On North Korea, Keep Calm and Carry On | Cato Institute: "The same news media outlets that solemnly intoned that sequestration would strangle the federal government, and who earlier suggested that going over the so-called fiscal cliff would wreak havoc on the entire U.S. economy, are now warning about a dire North Korean threat to American security."
"But there is little evidence that North Korea poses a threat to the United States. It is unclear whether Pyongyang’s embryonic nuclear program has produced even one deployable weapon. It certainly has not produced sophisticated, compact “cutting edge” warheads that can be married to ICBMs.
Nor is the country’s missile program likely to be mistaken for those of first-rate military powers. The successful December launch followed several spectacular failures over nearly a decade, and a single successful test is a long way from creating a fleet of reliable missiles."
"Pyongyang may pose a security threat to South Korea and a modest danger to Japan. But if the United States did not foolishly maintain military bases in those two countries — nearly seven decades after World War II, six decades after the Korean War and more than two decades since the end of the Cold War — North Korea’s saber-rattling would be of little relevance to Americans."
"If Tokyo and Seoul truly regard North Korea as a menace, they would be wise to create more robust defenses of their own. Yet South Korea spends a mere 2.6 percent of its gross domestic product on the military, while Japan is just now considering lifting the self-imposed limit that has that country spending a pathetic 1 percent on defense."
"But there is little evidence that North Korea poses a threat to the United States. It is unclear whether Pyongyang’s embryonic nuclear program has produced even one deployable weapon. It certainly has not produced sophisticated, compact “cutting edge” warheads that can be married to ICBMs.
Nor is the country’s missile program likely to be mistaken for those of first-rate military powers. The successful December launch followed several spectacular failures over nearly a decade, and a single successful test is a long way from creating a fleet of reliable missiles."
"Pyongyang may pose a security threat to South Korea and a modest danger to Japan. But if the United States did not foolishly maintain military bases in those two countries — nearly seven decades after World War II, six decades after the Korean War and more than two decades since the end of the Cold War — North Korea’s saber-rattling would be of little relevance to Americans."
"If Tokyo and Seoul truly regard North Korea as a menace, they would be wise to create more robust defenses of their own. Yet South Korea spends a mere 2.6 percent of its gross domestic product on the military, while Japan is just now considering lifting the self-imposed limit that has that country spending a pathetic 1 percent on defense."
Man, Economy, and Seoul - Christopher Westley - Mises Daily
Man, Economy, and Seoul - Christopher Westley - Mises Daily: "In 1960, per capita GDP in South Korea stood at $79, ranking it among the poorest countries in the world. In 1970, vast areas of Seoul had yet to be electrified. Yet, from the 1960s through the 1980s, the South Korean economy grew at an average rate of 8 percent a year, and today per capita GDP is about $32,400. What did it do right that persistently struggling economies do wrong?
The short answer is it saved. Korea is part of a broader Asian culture that encourages saving, resulting in low Asian time preferences developed over centuries in order to survive on rice-based diets and fluctuating fresh water sources. Furthermore, the generation that emerged from post-war South Korea is similar to the generation that emerged from the Great Depression in the United States in that both survived by valuing thrift and an efficient use of resources. Institutional development over this time rewarded saving that would be transformed into the capital structure necessary for wealth creation in the future. The resulting low interest rates brought about sustainable economic growth marked by output that individuals had saved to purchase."
"how Koreans access their apartments (they often put down a single large payment and allow the apartment owner to earn interest off it in lieu of rent)"
The short answer is it saved. Korea is part of a broader Asian culture that encourages saving, resulting in low Asian time preferences developed over centuries in order to survive on rice-based diets and fluctuating fresh water sources. Furthermore, the generation that emerged from post-war South Korea is similar to the generation that emerged from the Great Depression in the United States in that both survived by valuing thrift and an efficient use of resources. Institutional development over this time rewarded saving that would be transformed into the capital structure necessary for wealth creation in the future. The resulting low interest rates brought about sustainable economic growth marked by output that individuals had saved to purchase."
"how Koreans access their apartments (they often put down a single large payment and allow the apartment owner to earn interest off it in lieu of rent)"
Mailvelope: Encrypted web email
Mailvelope: Mailvelope is a browser extension that allows to exchange encrypted web-based emails following the OpenPGP encryption standard. It works in Chroma and Firefox and supports GMail, GMX, Outlook.com, and Yahoo! Mail.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Mrs. Thatcher's Poll Tax - Murray N. Rothbard - Mises Daily
Mrs. Thatcher's Poll Tax - Murray N. Rothbard - Mises Daily: "since democracy is based on the concept of one man or woman, one vote, it would seem no more than fitting to have a principle of one man, one tax. Equal voting, equal taxation."
"a poll tax is a charge levied on a person's very existence, and the person must often be hunted down at great expense to be forced to pay the tax. Charging a man for his very existence seems to imply that the government owns all of its subjects, body and soul."
"a poll tax is a charge levied on a person's very existence, and the person must often be hunted down at great expense to be forced to pay the tax. Charging a man for his very existence seems to imply that the government owns all of its subjects, body and soul."
Collecting Taxes, Dispensing Fear | Cato Institute
Collecting Taxes, Dispensing Fear | Cato Institute: "Members of Congress “buy votes” by handing out “free stuff.” "
"Members of Congress also buy campaign contributions by proposing and voting for expenditures that reward certain companies, industries, and unions Solyndra and the General Motors bailout come to mind. This kind of buying of votes and campaign contributions goes on in most democracies. The United States may be the world’s leader in vote and contribution buying through special provisions in the tax code."
"It is well beyond the ability of any one or even a group of individuals to fully know the tax code and attendant regulations. In addition, all too much of it is imprecise, contradictory, beyond common sense and poorly written."
"Members of Congress also buy campaign contributions by proposing and voting for expenditures that reward certain companies, industries, and unions Solyndra and the General Motors bailout come to mind. This kind of buying of votes and campaign contributions goes on in most democracies. The United States may be the world’s leader in vote and contribution buying through special provisions in the tax code."
"It is well beyond the ability of any one or even a group of individuals to fully know the tax code and attendant regulations. In addition, all too much of it is imprecise, contradictory, beyond common sense and poorly written."
IRS claims it can read your e-mail without a warrant | Politics and Law - CNET News
IRS claims it can read your e-mail without a warrant | Politics and Law - CNET News: "Newly disclosed documents prepared by IRS lawyers says that Americans enjoy "generally no privacy" in their e-mail, Facebook chats, Twitter direct messages, and similar online communications -- meaning that they can be perused without obtaining a search warrant signed by a judge."
PoliceOne's Gun Control Survey: 11 key lessons from officers' perspectives
PoliceOne's Gun Control Survey: 11 key lessons from officers' perspectives: "the majority of officers polled oppose the theories brought forth by gun-control advocates who claim that proposed restrictions on weapon capabilities and production would reduce crime.
In fact, many officers responding to this survey seem to feel that those controls will negatively affect their ability to fight violent criminals.
Contrary to what the mainstream media and certain politicians would have us believe, police overwhelmingly favor an armed citizenry, would like to see more guns in the hands of responsible people, and are skeptical of any greater restrictions placed on gun purchase, ownership, or accessibility."
In fact, many officers responding to this survey seem to feel that those controls will negatively affect their ability to fight violent criminals.
Contrary to what the mainstream media and certain politicians would have us believe, police overwhelmingly favor an armed citizenry, would like to see more guns in the hands of responsible people, and are skeptical of any greater restrictions placed on gun purchase, ownership, or accessibility."
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Son of slain Texas prosecutor says father put away his guns to protect visitors to his home | Fox News
Son of slain Texas prosecutor says father put away his guns to protect visitors to his home | Fox News: "Slain Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland kept a gun "in every room of his house" but couldn't reach one when his killer or killers came into his home Easter weekend because he had put the weapons away just hours before to protect visitors, his son said in an interview published Tuesday."
" "He kept a gun by every chair," J.R. McLelland said. "He kept one on both sides of the TV, there was a shotgun hanging on the back of the couch and two by his bed." "
" "He kept a gun by every chair," J.R. McLelland said. "He kept one on both sides of the TV, there was a shotgun hanging on the back of the couch and two by his bed." "
Friday, April 05, 2013
Dr. Manny: Judge is placing young women in danger with Plan B decision | Fox News
Dr. Manny: Judge is placing young women in danger with Plan B decision | Fox News: "a school nurse can’t even give an aspirin without parental consent, and yet a federal judge says it’s okay for a 13-year-old to get emergency contraception without anyone saying anything about it? "
"It was not that long ago that these types of hormonal contraceptive pills were given under medical prescription only – because these are real hormones with real side effects. Yes, I understand that the complication rates are minimal, and I was okay with the FDA making this an over-the-counter product. But I’m certainly not okay with allowing a young child to have access to these medicines.
First of all, how is a 13-year-old girl supposed to tell the difference between emergency contraception and birth control? In other words, Plan B is only to be used in case of an emergency, in which you may feel as if your regular form of birth control failed and there was a window of time when you may have gotten pregnant."
"It was not that long ago that these types of hormonal contraceptive pills were given under medical prescription only – because these are real hormones with real side effects. Yes, I understand that the complication rates are minimal, and I was okay with the FDA making this an over-the-counter product. But I’m certainly not okay with allowing a young child to have access to these medicines.
First of all, how is a 13-year-old girl supposed to tell the difference between emergency contraception and birth control? In other words, Plan B is only to be used in case of an emergency, in which you may feel as if your regular form of birth control failed and there was a window of time when you may have gotten pregnant."
Tucson gun store owner cancels AR-15 purchase by Gabrielle Giffords' husband Mark Kelly | Fox News
Tucson gun store owner cancels AR-15 purchase by Gabrielle Giffords' husband Mark Kelly | Fox News: "Doug MacKinlay said Monday that a full refund was sent to Mark Kelly via express mail because the former astronaut didn't plan to keep the AR-15-style rifle for his personal use."
That is call a straw purchase and is illegal.
That is call a straw purchase and is illegal.
Slums Are Hubs of Hope, Progress and Dignity | Cato Institute
Slums Are Hubs of Hope, Progress and Dignity | Cato Institute: "Yes, slums are dirty, but they are also entrepreneurial hubs where India’s poor are climbing up the ladder of opportunity and income. The census report shows that 16.7% of slum households are factories, shops and offices. These are humming commercial centres, not dead-ends.
Dharavi in Mumbai, India’s largest slum, has an estimated business turnover of $650 million."
Dharavi in Mumbai, India’s largest slum, has an estimated business turnover of $650 million."
Skilled Immigration: The New Common Ground in the Reform Debate | Cato Institute
Skilled Immigration: The New Common Ground in the Reform Debate | Cato Institute: "Just over half of all H-1B workers work in the computer industry, where unemployment is under 4 percent."
"A survey of 50 top venture-funded companies carried out by the National Foundation for American Policy found that 48 percent of those companies had at least one immigrant founder. Seventy-five percent of the firms surveyed had one or more skilled immigrants as a key member of its product development or management teams. Many of those firms would not exist if those vital immigrant employees were not legally allowed to work."
"A survey of 50 top venture-funded companies carried out by the National Foundation for American Policy found that 48 percent of those companies had at least one immigrant founder. Seventy-five percent of the firms surveyed had one or more skilled immigrants as a key member of its product development or management teams. Many of those firms would not exist if those vital immigrant employees were not legally allowed to work."
The US Corporate State - Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr. - Mises Daily
The US Corporate State - Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr. - Mises Daily: "AIG was bailed out in order to protect Main Street, the public was told, but virtually none of AIG’s busted CDS insurance was held by Main Street banks. Even on Wall Street the effects were confined to about a dozen firms, every one of which had ample cushion for absorbing the losses. Thanks to the bailout, they did not take one dollar in such losses."
Senator Rand Paul Introduces REINS Act to Budget Resolution - Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate | Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate
Senator Rand Paul Introduces REINS Act to Budget Resolution - Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate | Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate: "require Congress to approve every new major rule proposed by the Executive Branch before it can be enforced on the American People"
Sen. Rand Paul Introduces Amendment to Discontinue Pay for Union Business on Government Time - Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate | Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate
Sen. Rand Paul Introduces Amendment to Discontinue Pay for Union Business on Government Time - Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate | Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate: "calls for the reduction of federal spending by ending the reimbursement of Federal employees for conducting union business while on taxpayer time. Currently, Title V of the U.S.C. Chapter 71 allows federal employees to use official time for union activities.
According to a survey conducted by the Office of Personnel Management, 3 million official time hours were used in collective bargaining or arbitration of grievances against an employee in FY2010. In FY2011, federal employees spent about 3.4 million hours conducting union business while on duty."
According to a survey conducted by the Office of Personnel Management, 3 million official time hours were used in collective bargaining or arbitration of grievances against an employee in FY2010. In FY2011, federal employees spent about 3.4 million hours conducting union business while on duty."
Senator Rand Paul Introduces Amendment to Restrict Government Domestic Drone Surveillance - Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate | Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate
Senator Rand Paul Introduces Amendment to Restrict Government Domestic Drone Surveillance - Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate | Rand Paul 2016 | U.S. Senate: "The amendment would specifically require all law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before using a drone in a law enforcement or evidence collection capacity, excluding the surveillance needed for border security."
Keeping Low-income Students from Being Throwaway Kids | Cato Institute
Keeping Low-income Students from Being Throwaway Kids | Cato Institute: "“It’s not uncommon in urban schools for about 20 percent of the student body to change schools in a given year. A U.S. Government Accountability Office report revealed that ‘One-sixth of the nation’s third graders — more than half a million children — have attended at least three different schools since starting first grade.’
“In areas of highly concentrated poverty, that number is often far higher. As a result, students may bounce between schools that have entirely different curricula and teaching practices, putting them at risk of school difficulties and reducing the chance that they will stay in school.”"
"One study of high school students in three studies conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics indicated that 12 percent of high school dropouts nationwide left school to take care of a family member."
“In areas of highly concentrated poverty, that number is often far higher. As a result, students may bounce between schools that have entirely different curricula and teaching practices, putting them at risk of school difficulties and reducing the chance that they will stay in school.”"
"One study of high school students in three studies conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics indicated that 12 percent of high school dropouts nationwide left school to take care of a family member."
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Apple's iMessage encryption trips up feds' surveillance | Politics and Law - CNET News
Apple's iMessage encryption trips up feds' surveillance | Politics and Law - CNET News: " "it is impossible to intercept iMessages between two Apple devices" even with a court order approved by a federal judge. "
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
I Survived Sequestration | Cato Institute
I Survived Sequestration | Cato Institute: "This week marks the one-month anniversary of one of the most terrifying events in American history: the sequester. So, with great trepidation, I have climbed out of my bunker to survey the devastation and send off this column.
I was shocked to discover that somehow mankind had survived."
"Several federal agencies were forced to impose hiring freezes, but the federal government is hardly closing its employment business. In just one week last month, nearly 4,600 job listings were posted on USAJobs.gov, the federal government’s recruiting site."
"The National Archives was forced to return to the hours of operation it maintained prior to 2008."
"One can go all the way back to Bill Clinton’s welfare reform, which, it was solemnly predicted, would throw 2.7 million more children into poverty. Instead, poverty, child poverty, and African American–child poverty all declined after the law was passed."
I was shocked to discover that somehow mankind had survived."
"Several federal agencies were forced to impose hiring freezes, but the federal government is hardly closing its employment business. In just one week last month, nearly 4,600 job listings were posted on USAJobs.gov, the federal government’s recruiting site."
"The National Archives was forced to return to the hours of operation it maintained prior to 2008."
"One can go all the way back to Bill Clinton’s welfare reform, which, it was solemnly predicted, would throw 2.7 million more children into poverty. Instead, poverty, child poverty, and African American–child poverty all declined after the law was passed."
Why U.S. Can't Deliver Women's Rights to Afghanistan | Cato Institute
Why U.S. Can't Deliver Women's Rights to Afghanistan | Cato Institute: "women’s rights activists observe that forced marriages involving young girls remain common. Beatings, torture, and other forms of domestic violence against Afghan women persist. Worse, women and girls are often shot, stabbed, or even stoned to death in honor killings when captured for running away from their abusers."
Countdown to Climate Change: It's Only 297 Years Away! | Cato Institute
Countdown to Climate Change: It's Only 297 Years Away! | Cato Institute: "The first one, in 2000, used two (out of the dozens available) climate models. One predicted the largest precipitation changes of all, and the other the largest changes in temperature. They were both wrong at the time the Assessment was published, predicting three times as much warming as was observed, and having absolutely no forecast skill estimating changes in precipitation. It seemed impossible, but the temperature predictions were worse than one could get from a table of random numbers, a rare example of what should be called negative knowledge; kinda like getting less than 25% correct on a four-way multiple choice test."
The Minimum Wage Typifies Much That Is Wrong with Washington | Cato Institute
The Minimum Wage Typifies Much That Is Wrong with Washington | Cato Institute: "In 1977 Congress established the Minimum Wage Study Commission. The panel concluded that the “time-series studies typically find that a ten percent increase in the minimum wage reduces teenage employment by one to three percent.” Similar were the results of more recent research. Observed businessman Brandon Crocker, “most studies of previous [pre-1996] rate hikes (such as 1990-1991) show clear evidence of job losses.”
A 2007 review 102 studies starting in the 1990s by David Neumark and William Wascher found: “although the wide range of estimates is striking, the oft-stated assertion that the new minimum wage research fails to support the traditional view that the minimum wage reduces the employment of low-wage workers is clearly incorrect. Indeed … the preponderance of the evidence points to disemployment effects.” Studies which did not do so were more likely to be industry specific and short-term, which may have influenced the results."
"James Sherk of the Heritage Foundation pointed out that in 2011 and 2012 only 2.9 percent of all workers earned the minimum, and that figure included service workers who earned enough in tips to move them above the minimum. Just .6 percent of full-time workers and 1.7 percent of full-time hourly workers earn the minimum. Even 77.2 percent of teens earn more than the minimum. Explained Wilson: “The higher the minimum wage relative to competitive-market wage levels, the greater the employment loss that occurs.”"
"What is certain is that when jobs disappear those with the least education, training, skills, and experience suffer the most. This means younger and minority workers. For instance, a 1973 study by economist Douglas K. Adie concluded that a ten percent increase in the real, inflate-adjusted minimum wage increased teen unemployment by 3.62 percent."
"The minimum wage is a major reason for the persistent gap between unemployment rates for black and white teens and young adults."
“the consequences of the minimum wage for black young adults without a diploma were actually worse than the consequences of the Great Depression.”
"Minimum wage increases rapidly accelerate the rate at which technological innovations replace entry-level jobs."
"A score of studies have found a modest impact on prices—an average of .4 percent for every ten percent rise in the minimum. Restaurants appear to be particularly prone to such increases. A 2011 study found that price hikes in this industry were more common than employment cuts, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the cost increase.
Price hikes can claw back wage gains. Said Romer: “Often, the customers paying those prices—including some of the diners at McDonald’s and the shoppers at Walmart—have very low family incomes. Thus this price effect may harm the very people whom a minimum wage is supposed to help.”"
"some employers responded by reducing pay raises for other workers. In addition, explained Wilson: “Some firms try to increase worker productivity by requiring better attendance, insisting that job duties are completed faster, imposing additional tasks on workers, minimizing hours worked with better scheduling, and terminating poor performers more quickly.”"
“Since 1995, eight studies have examined the income and poverty effects of minimum wage increases, and all but one have found that past minimum wage hikes had no effect on poverty.”
"just 11.3 percent of minimum wage workers live in a poor household. The average income of families with minimum wage workers is above $53,000, more than twice the poverty line for a family of four. Nearly two-thirds of recipients live in homes with incomes at least twice the poverty line. Just 16.8 percent of teen minimum wage workers live in homes below the poverty line."
A 2007 review 102 studies starting in the 1990s by David Neumark and William Wascher found: “although the wide range of estimates is striking, the oft-stated assertion that the new minimum wage research fails to support the traditional view that the minimum wage reduces the employment of low-wage workers is clearly incorrect. Indeed … the preponderance of the evidence points to disemployment effects.” Studies which did not do so were more likely to be industry specific and short-term, which may have influenced the results."
"James Sherk of the Heritage Foundation pointed out that in 2011 and 2012 only 2.9 percent of all workers earned the minimum, and that figure included service workers who earned enough in tips to move them above the minimum. Just .6 percent of full-time workers and 1.7 percent of full-time hourly workers earn the minimum. Even 77.2 percent of teens earn more than the minimum. Explained Wilson: “The higher the minimum wage relative to competitive-market wage levels, the greater the employment loss that occurs.”"
"What is certain is that when jobs disappear those with the least education, training, skills, and experience suffer the most. This means younger and minority workers. For instance, a 1973 study by economist Douglas K. Adie concluded that a ten percent increase in the real, inflate-adjusted minimum wage increased teen unemployment by 3.62 percent."
"The minimum wage is a major reason for the persistent gap between unemployment rates for black and white teens and young adults."
“the consequences of the minimum wage for black young adults without a diploma were actually worse than the consequences of the Great Depression.”
"Minimum wage increases rapidly accelerate the rate at which technological innovations replace entry-level jobs."
"A score of studies have found a modest impact on prices—an average of .4 percent for every ten percent rise in the minimum. Restaurants appear to be particularly prone to such increases. A 2011 study found that price hikes in this industry were more common than employment cuts, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the cost increase.
Price hikes can claw back wage gains. Said Romer: “Often, the customers paying those prices—including some of the diners at McDonald’s and the shoppers at Walmart—have very low family incomes. Thus this price effect may harm the very people whom a minimum wage is supposed to help.”"
"some employers responded by reducing pay raises for other workers. In addition, explained Wilson: “Some firms try to increase worker productivity by requiring better attendance, insisting that job duties are completed faster, imposing additional tasks on workers, minimizing hours worked with better scheduling, and terminating poor performers more quickly.”"
“Since 1995, eight studies have examined the income and poverty effects of minimum wage increases, and all but one have found that past minimum wage hikes had no effect on poverty.”
"just 11.3 percent of minimum wage workers live in a poor household. The average income of families with minimum wage workers is above $53,000, more than twice the poverty line for a family of four. Nearly two-thirds of recipients live in homes with incomes at least twice the poverty line. Just 16.8 percent of teen minimum wage workers live in homes below the poverty line."
1 $750G bid for unwanted Alaska ferry worth $80M | Fox News
1 $750G bid for unwanted Alaska ferry worth $80M | Fox News: "An unwanted, $80 million ice-breaking ferry owned by an Alaska borough has only one bid to buy it, and it's for $751,000"
"The project was funded mainly with Department of Defense earmarks wedged into the federal budget by then-U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.
The borough has no suitable docks or a workable business plan to operate the vessel as a ferry between Anchorage and Port MacKenzie in the Mat-Su.
With monthly costs to the borough averaging $75,000 for insurance, maintenance, fuel, docking fees and other expenses, the Borough Assembly has directed employees to find the most economical way to shed it."
"The project was funded mainly with Department of Defense earmarks wedged into the federal budget by then-U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.
The borough has no suitable docks or a workable business plan to operate the vessel as a ferry between Anchorage and Port MacKenzie in the Mat-Su.
With monthly costs to the borough averaging $75,000 for insurance, maintenance, fuel, docking fees and other expenses, the Borough Assembly has directed employees to find the most economical way to shed it."
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